Preparation and reactivity of new 3,3′,4,4′‐tetracarboxybenzophenone dianhydride glycidyl ester derivatives

New diimidediacids coming from 3,3′,4,4′‐benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (TBPA) and their corresponding diglycidyl derivatives have been synthesized. Preparation of diglycidyl esters was carried out by reaction with epichlorohydrin (EPC) in excess and using a quaternary ammonium halide as catalyst. The obtained compounds were characterized by spectroscopic methods and employed as starting monomers in a stepwise polymerization. The presence of imide groups in the new epoxy resins confers them higher thermal stability and also acceptable processing possibilities, as they are soluble in high polar organic solvents.